Physicochemical analysis of groundwater in the vicinity of an industrial area: a case study of Mopin Community, Ota, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

The pollution of a water source poses a health risk to its consumers. The aim of this work is to analyse the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater in Mopin Community, Ota in South-western Nigeria to ascertain the quality and possible effects of the effluents from neighbouring Industrial Estate. The parameters determined were Total hardness, alkalinity, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, chloride, heavy metals, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), and Total dissolved solids (TDS). Four groundwater samples were collected within the months of October, 2010 to June, 2011 and the physicochemical parameters were analysed according to APHA (1992). Heavy metal levels were also analysed using AAS machine after sample digestion. All analysis was carried out in triplicates. The results of this study indicates that the measures of gross organic pollution; COD, BOD and TDS were within WHO Permissible limits with average values of 64.79±28.05mg/L, 2.58±0.47mg\L and 127.5±23.63mg\L respectively. Average alkalinity and total hardness of 21.53±16.8mg\L and 32.75±13.50mg\L was also recorded. Nitrate and sulphate levels were higher than the phosphate levels. The heavy metal levels were of the decreasing order Pb>Zn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Co>Cd. This study showed that the effluents had little or no impact on the groundwater and the water is fit for consumption.